JamesHerbert managed to clear his head of the surprise attack and raised his head. When he saw Andy, his eyes widened, though no one was sure what his expression meant. Shocked surprise?“Andy? Fuck!” he muttered. “You’re really Andy? Fuck! Look at you!” He came charging forward, which took Andy by surprise. “I’ve been searching all over for you.” He laughed out insanely. “Come back to me, Andy. I want you. Fuck, I want you both back. Uncle will take care of you both.”Andy was sickened at Herbert’s words. What the hell is this man going on about? He was mental; that was for sure.The way Herbert seemed rather pleased to see Andy and wanted to embrace the boy in his sick, twisted way paralyzed Andy in his spot. He felt he was that young boy again, trapped in fear and anxiety of the tyrant uncle who had bullied, molested, and raped him.Before Herbert got ahold of Andy, Matt smoothly stepped in front of the boy. Herbert came to a complete stop as Matt’s fist flew into the man’s face.
MiaI was cuddled securely in Andy’s arms when the sound of a gunshot echoed from the distance, which was followed by this dreadful silence descending upon us. I knew instantly that James had shot Herbert Weston dead, and without a doubt, I felt relief. I knew it was inappropriate to have this sort of feeling when a man’s life was taken from this earth, despite the fact that man had caused so much pain, but I couldn’t help it.Herbert Weston was dead, after all. The man who had tormented us was gone forever. He could no longer hunt us down and hurt us, and God, I felt that was a blessing.I clung to Andy tighter as he, too, tightened his arms around me. I felt we were comforting each other after all we had been through together. Of course, I didn’t know how Andy felt about Herbert finally being dead.Is he feeling this same sense of relief? He was free from this dark evilness that kept chasing after him no matter where he went.I didn’t know, and I raised my gaze to his. When I saw t
MiaThe next time I came fully conscious, it was to a rattling noise near me. I groaned and slowly fluttered my eyes open. The moment bright lights greeted me, I squeezed my eyes shut again.“How are you doing, love?” A female voice came my way. I felt a warm hand about my shoulder as the woman continued. “Is there anything I can get you? Water? Tea? Coffee?”I nodded with my eyes still shut. “Wa-water,” I managed to articulate, my throat dry and scratchy. It hurt.“Sure,” the woman said. “Just hold on a second.”As I heard her footsteps moving away, I tried opening my eyes once again, and this time, I got used to the bright light that shone into the room.With my vision still a little blurry, I searched about the place, wondering how long I had been asleep.When the woman returned with a glass of water, I asked, “How long?”She helped me sit up and then guided the glass of water toward my lips.She must have understood my question because she said, “You’ve been in and out of consciou
MiaI snuggled myself into a comfortable position, intending to take another nap.Suddenly, I felt this sense of happiness, and I honestly didn’t know why. I mean, considering what I had recently been through with the kidnapping, beating, and near rape, I shouldn’t feel bright and cheerful like this. Perhaps it was the thought of James and that I instinctively knew he’d come to be by my side tonight. I started giggling.Yes, I giggled like a schoolgirl.“Sounds like you’re having a good time being cooped up in the hospital,” came a manly voice.The moment I heard that deep timbre, my heart raced and I felt overjoyed. So much so that I wanted to burst out crying.I turned my head, and the sight of James standing not too far away nearly broke me down. I somehow managed to hold in my emotions and greeted him with a, “Hi.”He came over to sit on the side of the bed. “Hi there, sweetheart. I came as soon as Nancy contacted me.”So Nancy the nurse had phoned him when I woke, and he must hav
JamesWhen James came in through the door after a long day at the office and headed toward Mia’s bed in the hospital that night, he found her deep in slumber. Standing by her side, he gazed at her long and hard, noting the bruises on her beautiful face. Fuck! He wanted those unsightly marks gone as soon as possible. The sight of them reminded him of Herbert Weston and what the bastard had done to Mia, and once again, he felt rage erupting in his being.For perhaps the hundredth time, he swore nothing like that would ever happen to Mia again. He’d protect her. He’d cherish her.For now, she looked peaceful in her sleep, but he knew it wouldn’t last long. Soon, it would start, the nightmare, as it had the past three nights. She’d start crying and screaming and begging in her sleep as that terrifying episode of her kidnapping returned to haunt her. She’d scream for Herbert Weston to let her go. She’d beg for him to stop hurting her, and fuck, but the sheer fear and panic in her voice bro
MiaWhen I woke, my hands were resting on the empty space on the side of my bed, and I wondered why it felt so warm, as if someone had been there only moments before. I shifted my body and then inhaled deeply. The scent that was unique to James caressed my nostrils, and I smiled.He had been here, hadn’t he? Sleeping next to me. My heart soared at the thought, though at the same time, I was a little disappointed that he didn’t wake me when he had arrived. We could have had a little chat and kiss.“Good morning.” A nurse I didn’t recognize greeted me as she came into the room. “How are you feeling this morning, love?”I gave her a bright smile, my lips and mouth a little sore in the process. Obviously, my wounds had not yet healed properly. “I’m good. A little pain, but it’s fine.”“That’s good,” she said, grinning brightly. Then she came over to stand at the end of the bed and picked up my medical record. She quickly scanned over the documents, and a moment later, looking rather satis
MiaWhen I woke again, I felt a lot better. The headache was gone, as was the exhaustion.After cleaning myself up for the second time that day, I returned to my bed with renewed determination. I will no longer allow the thought of Herbert Weston to affect me. I will not cry remembering the trauma he inflicted on me nor the distress he caused me—physically, mentally, and emotionally. I will be free from that bastard!With that, I settled myself to read some magazines Brenda had left for me, and it wasn’t long before lunch arrived. It was also around then that Andy appeared at the door again. With my mouth still full of food, I stared at him wide-eyed as he walked toward me.“Hey,” he said. “Feeling better?”I quickly swallowed my food and reached my arms out for him, begging for a great big hug again.Andy came over and took me into his arms as I wrapped mine around his torso.I chuckled as I raised my eyes to look at him. “I hope you’re not driving Matt crazy because you’re so worrie
MiaI was finally judged to be well enough to allow a proper shower by myself instead of the occasional sponge bath by the nurse, which, to be honest, was rather embarrassing to say the least. And of course, now that I didn’t have an IV line connected to me, it was even better.After retrieving a towel and the bathroom essentials that Savannah had considerately brought for me yesterday evening, I headed into the bathroom. I took my time brushing my teeth and cleaning myself thoroughly, and, of course, enjoying the warm water on my skin. By the time I was done, I smiled with glee at the fact that I now smelled like the Garden of Eden.After donning the undesirable hospital gown once again and putting on some night cream over my still lightly bruised face, I headed back out, humming to myself.“You sound like you’re having a fine time showering,” the night shift nurse, Laura, said, chuckling.“Hello there. Yes, it’s the first time in five days I’ve showered, so…”Laura nodded. “I can un